Chapter 41

Opening my eyes, I see Autumn fighting Sidney as he rocks her while walking around the room.

"Shh sweetie, mommy is trying to sleep," Sidney whispers as he paces the room as I watch him.
He is taking good care of Autumn, he is going to make a good daddy. I keep quiet as I watch him place Autumn back onto the bed on her belly, as he climbs in after her gets her tucked in.

"You are going to make a good daddy someday," I whisper as I see him looking right at me in the dark.

"How long you been up?" Sidney asks.

"Long enough to see you take care of Autumn, and no she didn't wake me up," I say.

"I'm glad she didn't wake you up. She was crying up a storm that woke me up,"
I smile.

"Get used to it if we are going to be living together,"
I see Sidney lean over as he places his lips on top of mine as he kisses me.

"I love you," Sidney says.

"I love you too, we better get back to sleep. I'll get up with her next time," I say.

"No I will, I know where her diaper bag is and her formula is at. I know how to make it as well,"

"Alright, no arguing with you on that one,"
I lay my head back down.

"Go back to sleep babe,"
I smile as I close my eyes and draft back to sleep.


Opening my eyes again, I didn't see Autumn laying besides me or Sidney laying by the end of the bed. Guess she needed to get fed. Moving to the edge of the bed, I place my legs over the bed down onto the floor as I head to the door. Opening it, I walk down the hallway as I see Kris sitting at the table with Mason, eating breakfast.

"He's over there sleeping," Kris says as I turn to my right as I see Sidney on the couch with his eyes closed and Autumn in his arms with her eyes closed.

Smiling, I see my diaper bag as I grab it and open it.
Moving the stuff around, I find my phone as I open it and go to my camera. I snap pictures of them both sleeping together.

"So precious," I say as I close my phone and walk into the kitchen area.

"He was out here when Mason got me up," Kris says as I watch Mason going into the kitchen to put his bowl in the sink.

"Really? Wow, this little one had a busy night," I say as I walk to the other side of the table. Pulling out a chair, I take a seat.

"Daddy when we going?" Mason asks.

"It's only 8 bud, we aren't going until 9," Kris says as he gave Mason his phone.

"So where's LC at?" I ask.

"Getting her make up on in the bathroom. She decided to go to practice this morning," Kris says.

"Ahh, I'm not sure if I'll go or not. Are we looking at houses today?"

"I'm pretty sure we are, got to ask Sid if we are,"

"If so, you will have to come back to get me,"

"Why, your not coming to practice today?"

"No ,I'm going to stay here with Autumn,"
A knock came at the door as the door opens.

"You all up?" Mario comes in asking.

"Shh," I say as I point over to the couch. He turns his head and looks over there.

"He must have had a rough night," Mario says.

"I'll wake him up," I say as I get up and walk from the kitchen table into the living room. I walk over to the couch that he is on. Leaning over, I place a kiss on his lips as he opens his eyes looking at me. He kisses me back.

"Time to wake up," I say as I stand up.

"What time is it?" Sidney asks.

"About 10 after 8, you need to get up," I say as Sidney looks down at Autumn then back up on me.

"Come to mommy little one," I say as I lean over and gently pick up Autumn off his lap and place her in a cradling position as Sidney gets up off the couch.

"We are going to go look at this house after practice," Sidney says as he kisses my cheek.

"Where is it at?"
Turning around I see LC standing in the hallway as she moves to let Sidney pass her.

"It's in Sewickley, not too far from Mario," Sidney says as I sit down onto the couch.
I look down at her as she is still asleep.

"She's adorable,"
I knew that was Mario.

"Yeah she is, got it from her mother and father," I say as I look up from her. I start to feel a phone going off as I turn my head left and right as I see Sidney's phone viberating.

Reaching my right arm out a little, I grab the black flip phone that sat on the couch. Moving back, I flip it open to see a text message from the area code 412, meaning Pittsburgh. Flipping it open, I see the text message and I click on it to open it.

"We will be happy to show you the house about noon today, if that is okay.  Can't wait to meet you, your girlfriend and family,"

Closing it, I can't believe he already found a house.

"You getting changed?"
I see LC standing there in her cutie outfit of jeans, shoes and a pretty blue shirt on with the Penguins logo on the front of it.

"No I'm staying here and watching Autumn today," I say.

"Aaylah, why don't you go to practice with the boys and go look at the house after practice. Me and Nathalie can watch the little one," Mario says.

I really didn't want to leave her here but I can understand where he is coming from. It's cold outside and Autumn is still building up her immune system.

I hear a ring tone that I knew what my own.

"Hey LC, can you grab my phone off the table," I ask as I watch her going over to the table to get it and bring it back over to me.

"Thank you," I say as I hit on talk.

"Hello," I say.

"Good morning Aaylah, it's Coach Ginger. You missed practice yesterday and just wanted to know if you will make the game,"

"I'm sorry about missing yesterday, I had to go up to Montreal for a family reason,"

"Understandable. Will you play the game today? It is at Mellon Arena and at 1 o'clock right after the penguins practice,"

"I'll be there,"

"Alright, thank you for letting me know. Be to the arena by noon,"

"Yes ma'am,"
I hang up the phone as I gently stand up with Autumn in my arms.

"Can you take her now Mario?" I ask as I turn around.

"Sure," Mario says as I move my arms out to place her safety into Mario's arms.

"Thank you, I will get everything you need for her," I say.

"Alright, let's go out here sweetie," Mario says as I turn around just as I see Sidney coming out in jeans and a sweater on. I walk over to him.

"Do you have another shirt that I can wear?" I ask.

"Sure babe," Sidney says as he turns around. I follow behind him to his room.

He goes over to his dresser as I walk in and over to him.

"And don't give me your Cole Harbour shirt," I say as he moves his head up and look at me.

"Damn, ok here," Sidney says as he throws a shirt at me.
It was a newer shirt.

"Ok what is this?" I ask as I unfold the shirt and it reads "I'm a Pittsburgh Penguin with the Pens logo on it"

"Your a goof," I say as I watch him going over to the door and closing it.

"I couldn't resist getting it. It is mine," Sidney says as I start strapping from my white sweater and pink shirt. I'm in my bra in front of Sidney for the first time.

"You want me to go into the bathroom?" Sidney asks as I place the black colored shirt over my head.

"Nope no need too," I say as I grab my white sweater to place it back over onto my arms.

"You look good in that," Sidney says as I walk over to the bed and slip back on my clog shoes.

"Probably would look better on you. It's too big on me," I say as I watch him walking over to me.

"Looks better on you. Why did you decide to go?" Sidney asks.

"I got my game today that I forgot about," I say.

"Ohh, guess we will go house hunting after then," Sidney says.

"Yeah that's why I'm leaving Autumn here with Mario and Nathalie today," I say.

"She will be in good hands with them. They raised 4 children plus my parents and Taylor are still here," Sidney says as I forgotten that he told me his parents are here until Tuesday.

"I know, that's why I'm leaving her with them. I trust them but I will miss her,"

"I know you will but in a few hours she will be back in your arms,"

I wrap my arms around Sidney as his arms go around me. I feel him kiss the top of my head. After a few minutes, we let go of one another as we walk out of his room. We make our way back up front as LC, Kris and Mason are dressed. They are ready tp go.

"Oh so you decided to go?" LC asks.

"Yeah, I have a game this afternoon after the guys practice. I completely forgot about it until my coach called me," I say.

"You goof," LC says as I just smile.
Before walking into the TV room, I place Autumn's diaper bag on my shoulder. 

"I'm going to take this out to Mario and Nathalie," I say as I open the door and walk out. I see Troy and Trina sitting on the couch.

"Good morning Aaylah," Trina says as I smile.

"Good morning Trina," I say as I see Nat in the kitchen with Autumn.

"How are you?" Trina asks.

"I'm good, your son on the other hand might be a little tired," I say.

"He was up all night with the baby?" Troy asks.

"He was, I offered to help him but he wanted to do it on his own and let me sleep," I say.

"I hope he does well this morning in practice," Troy says.

"He will, I'll make sure of it. I'm going to practice with him this morning cause I have a game this afternoon,"

"Ohh," Troy says.

"Yes, so its pointless if I stay here and have him waste gas to get back here," I say.

"So true, you have an adorable daughter by the way," Trina says.
I watch as Nat comes walking back into the room. Autumn is resting peacefully in her arms.

"Thank you Trina, here Nathalie," I say as I place the diaper bag by the chair.

"Thank you Aaylah, too bad we can't come to your game this afternoon," Nat says.

"It's alright, I'll have plenty of support I'm sure," I say as I hear Sidney's wing door open.

"I'm pretty sure you will. Have fun and good luck," Nat says.

I turn around as I see Sidney standing there with LC, Kris and Mason.

"Thank you," I say as I walk over and kiss Autumn's forehead.

"I love you baby girl, I'll be back," I say as I lean back and smile.

"Come on baby," Sidney says as I smile and turn around walking over to him.

"Have a good practice Sid and have a good game Aaylah," Troy says.

"Thank you dad," Sidney says as we walk up the stairs and walk over to the front door as Mario opens the front door.

"You all off?" Mario asks.

"Yes we are," Sidney says.

"Good luck to you all and Aaylah if anything happens to the little girl in there, we will call you or Sidney ASAP," Mario says.

"Thank you Mario," I say as I walk out of the door behind Sidney. We walk off the front porch and down the sidewalk to his Range Rover.

"I'm excited," Mason says as we walk off the sidewalk and over to the Range Rover.

"I know you are buddy and guess what? We will see Miss Aaylah play in a hockey game after practice," Kris says as I smile walking over to the passinger side of the car.

"Yay," Mason says as I hear Sid unlock the car as I open the door climbing inside.

"Sidney is my hockey bag still in the back of your car?" I ask as everyone starts closing the doors.

"Yes it is and there is an extra stick back there that you can use," Sidney says as I watch him place in the keys and starts up the Range Rover.

"Thank you," I say as I grab the seatbelt as I move it across me as I buckle it in.

"So your practice is how long today?" LC asks as it's near 9.

"It's about an hour and a half but practice doesn't start til about 9:30," Kris says as Sidney backs out of his parking place as he turns his wheels to go down the drive way. We stop at the gate as he hits the code in and the gates move.

We pull out as I look to the right as I say "I'm clear,"
Sidney turns as he turns left.

"So are we still going house shopping today?" LC asks.

"Yes after Aaylah's game we are going. I already told the realiter and she said that is fine by her," Sidney says.

"So when are we going to clean out the apartment?" LC asks.
She is full of questions today.

"Probably Tuesday since we have the day off," Kris says as Sidney reaches his hand across as he grabs my hand.

" Mind on Autumn?," Sidney asks.

"No, I'm just nervous about my game. I know Autumn is in good hands with Mario, Nat and your parents," I say.

"That she is and you will do fine during your game,"

"You think so?,"

"Absolutely babe,"

For the rest of the way, I just look out the window as I think about the game as Sidney pulls into the back parking lot of Mellon Arena. He parks where he usually does.
Looking around, there aren't too many cars out here.

"We are here," Sidney says as I hear him turn off the car.

"We see that captain obvious," LC says as I chuckle.
I unbuckle my seatbelt as I grab the door handle, opening the passinger side door.
Getting out of the Range Rover I get in front of the door as I push it shut.

"Do you want to take your hockey bag in babe?" Sidney asks.

"Where can I put it at?" I ask.

"Put it in Mario's stall next to mine then when you have practice just move over to my stall to change and everything," Sidney says.

"Sure I'll take it in," I say as I follow Sidney to the back of the car as he uses his key to unlock the door as he pulls it up.
I see my bag, as I lean over as I grab it as I grab the stick that Sidney gave me.

I place it on my shoulder as I hear LC say," We are heading in,"

"We are right behind you," Sidney says as we walk on different sides of the car as we get besides each other walking not too far from LC, Kris, and Mason.

Kris holds open the door as Sidney grabs it from him.

"Thanks Tanger," Sidney says as he holds the door open for me.

"Your welcome, you walking the other way?" Kris asks as we both walk into the building.

"Like always," Sidney says as Kris nods his head as they head straight, while me and Sid head to the right and take a different way.

"I'll be in the stands during your entire game, so you will have my support during the game," Sidney says as he leans over to grab my hand.

"Thank you Sidney, but I already knew that," I say as we both smile.

About five minutes later, we arrive to the locker room door as we both walk in as I see most of the guys sitting in their stalls, changed ready to go besides Kris

I walk passed Sidney's stall as I place my bag in Mario's stall.

I see Sidney grabbing a few things as he walks passed me as he says "Ill be back babe,"

"You girls can sit down on the bench, we won't bite," Max says.

"Shove it Talbot," LC says as I laugh as I sit down in Sidney's spot.

"Haha LC," Max says as I see Michel walking into the room.

"Ladies, will you exit the room? I would like to talk to the guys before practice," Michel says.

"Sure," I say as both LC and I get up as we head out of the room as we close the door behind us. Mason has LC's hand

"Wonder what was that all about," LC says as we head down the hallway as we make our way down to the seats in the arena.

"Probably going over strategy for the practice and game," I say as we get seats by the bench area.

"Maybe, so you ready for your game later?" LC says.

"A little nervous since I haven't practiced in awhile or played hockey at all," I say.

"Don't be, you'll do fine. Hell Sidney hasn't played or practiced since the game in Philly on Wednesday. He's gonna be fine in tomorrow's game cause he's practicing today. You get a little warm up before the game, so you'll do just fine," LC says as she smiles at me.

I know she is right.

"Your right LC," I say as we wait.

"Aaylah,"
I look down to see Mason sitting besides me.

"Yeah Mason," I say as he stands up in his chair.

"I think you'll do good today. I know I may not know you but you'll do fine," Mason says as he sits down as he gets up and walks back over to LC.

"Wow thank you Mason," I say.
I know he was right and he barely know me.


About 30 minutes later, I see as the boys start coming out onto the ice as Mason stands up to look over the boards as we stand up, watching. I see Kris coming over as he reaches his stick out as he taps the glass.

"Yay Daddy!!!" Mason screams as we both smile.

I notice as Sidney skates over as he smiles as me.

 

“Hey babe,” Sidney says as I get up from my spot and walk down a little to the glass.

“Yeah?,” I say.

“Go get your gear on, I talked them into letting you practice with us,”

“Okay, you better not have tricked them,”

 

“I didn’t babe,”

 

“Ok, I’ll head back down and change,”

“Okay, we will be out here,”

I walk back up the bleachers as I reach LC and Mason.

“I’m going to join them in practice,”

“Ok, go get them,” LC says.

I make my way back to the locker room as I sit down in Sidney’s spot. I grab my bag as I change out of my clothes and put all my hockey gear on except that I’m missing my jersey. Sighing, I get up and walk to the back area when Dana is at.

“Hey Dana,” I say as he stops sharping a blade.

“Hey Aaylah, what's up?,” he asks.

“I need a jersey, the boys wanted me to practice with them and I don’t have a jersey to go over my padding,”

“Ah, well let me see what I got,”

I watch as he moves to the other side of the room as he reappears with a Crosby jersey and a Malkin jersey.

“Take your pick,” he says as I smile and grab Sidney’s jersey.

“Thanks Dana, I’ll give it back after practice,” I say.

“Ok, sounds good,”

I walk back out into the main locker room as I place the jersey on over my head and over my padding. Sighing, I take out my helmet, well its one of Sidney’s too but I put on my head. I’m ready.

Walking out of the locker room, I make my way to the ice. I see them playing a game as I hop onto the ice.

“Aaylah over here,” TK says as I skate over to him on the bench.

“Why aren’t you in the game?,” I ask.

 "Waiting for you, Sidney had to join the game since he wasn’t at the last practice or game,” Tyler says.

“Ahh, I gotacha,”

“I like your jersey,”

 

“I forgot mine I guess at my apartment. Probably gonna wear it during my game,”

 

“Well at least your the same number on your team,”

 

“True,”

The whisle blows as I watch Sidney skating towards me.

“Hey, I like the jersey,” Sidney says as he hops onto the bench as TK goes onto the ice.

“You would because it’s yours. I guess I forgot mine at the apartment without realizing it,” I say.

“Well you can wear mine during your game as long as your coach approves,”

“Thanks Sidney, so how was your short game?,”

“Good, come lets go practice while they are on the other side of the rink,”

“Ok,”

I follow him out onto the ice as he has a puck in his hand. We practice what it seems like forever before Michel calls us both over to the circle.

 

“Ok, let’s play a game. You two are captains, since your both wearing the C’s,” Michel says as he points to us.

 

We skate opposite sides before Michel begins saying names off to us. I think I have a pretty good team since I got Malkin, Fleury and Tanger. Me and Sidney take the opening puck drop as I grab it as we start the game.

 

“Come on Geno,” I say as he passes it to me before I shoot it straight into the goal.

The horn blows as I smile. We get together to congrats as I look over and see a smile on Sidney’s face. We play this game for what seems like forever as I score the last goal just as the horn blows to end the game.

 

“Crosby 2 to Thomason 5. Well congrats,” Michel says.

I stick my tongue out at Sidney as he starts to come after me but I skate away.

“Your gonna get it,” Sidney says as I turn to see he isn’t far behind me but I turn backwards so I could see him getting closer.

Turning back around, I head for the middle of the circle as the rest of the guys are exiting the ice. I stop right in the middle of the ice as I watch Sidney stop right in front of me. He drops his gloves as he unclips the helmet from off my head. Then taking it off as he takes off his own as I drop my gloves and stick. His hands touch my face as his lips come crashing down onto mine. It gets more intense as I just give him the access as his tongue enters my mouth. My hands go behind his head as I interlock them.

 

What feels like forever, we release our lips from one another. My forehead is on his as we just look at each other. His hands take mine as I didn’t know what to say.

 

“I love you Aaylah,” Sidney says.

“I love you too Sidney,” I say as he gives me a few more kisses.

“We better clean up this mess and head back into the locker room,” Sidney says.

I kneel down as I pick up my purple gloves, my stick and helmet. Standing up, I watch as Sidney picks up his.

 

“Go ahead of me,” Sidney says as I make my way off the ice first as I wait on him to exit the ice next. We head back to the locker room as mostly everyone has exited but Tanger, LC, Mason and TK.

“About time you two show up,” LC says as I stick my tongue out at her as I walk down to Mario’s stall. There wasn’t a point in changing but I decide to take off my skates, helmet and gloves as I place them behind Sidney in his stall.

“Shut up LC,” Sidney says as he gets up to head for the showers.

“You ready for your game?,” LC asks as I move over into Sidney’s stall.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I say as a knock comes at the door and Coach Ginger walks in.

“Good afteroon Aaylah, I see your suited up,” she says.

“I practiced with the Penguins, coach. Oh I forgot my jersey apperently at home,” I say.

“Make sure it’s on you next time,”

“I will ma’am. Can I wear this jersey?,”

“Yes only since its your number but we will have to tape out Crosby’s name,”

“Ok, oh coach this is my friend LC,”

“Nice to meet you, and hello Tanger,” Coach says.

“Nice to meet you too. Hey Aaylah, we are going to the stands. Let Sidney to meet us there after he comes out,” LC says.

“Will do,”

They exit the room as Sidney emerges all clean and in a T-shirt and jeans.

“Hey babe,” Sidney says as he walks over to me and gives me a kiss.

He places his stuff in his bag as he moves our bags around.

“I’ll see you later, good luck,”

“Thanks Sidney,”He leans down from one more kiss as he exits.

“No wonder he wanted you on the team,” Coach Ginger says.

“He just thinks I’m good, not because I’m dating him,” I say.

 

A few more minutes pass as all the ladies from the team enter the start changing. Coach Ginger, tapped up the Crosby on my back and writes Thomason on it.

“What happened to your jersey?,” Haley asks.

“I left it at home, the penguins were gengrous enough to let me borrow one of Sidney Crosby’s jersey since we are the same number and all,” I say.

“Ahh, your lucky that coach has not problem with it,”

“I know,”

 

A little while afterwards, I hop onto the ice for warm ups. I can’t get the image of me and Sidney passionately kissing at center circle. I skate along the wall as I hear Sidney say my name. I stop and look up into the stands. There is LC, Tanger, Mason, Sidney with Mario. I wasn’t expecting that. I nod my head as I do warm up for the team as I exit the rink. Mario is here so that that means Nathaile, Trina and Troy are watching Autumn.

I enter the locker room as the rest of the team joins me.

“Did you see Mario Lemieux in the stands?,” Amy asks.

“Yeah, Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang are also there,”

“Ok ladies, let’s go over stragies,”

 

Around 25 minutes later, we line the hallway in order of our number.

 

“Number 87, Aaylah Thomason,”The announcer says as I enter the ice. I look like a sore thumb out here but it was my own fault.

 

We stand out onto the ice as they play the National Anthem as well as the Canadian national anthem. After they were other, I skate in my side of the rink as I look over every time I pass the area Sidney and everyone is in. I was blessed to have those people in my life. I go up to center circle as I am taking the faceoff as the ref drops the puck. I get it and pass it back as I go up the line.

 

“Come on pass,” I say as they did and I scored.

“Hell yes!!,” I say as I skate around before exiting the ice onto the bench.

“Scored by number 87 Aaylah Thomason,”

 

So by the end of the game, we won 5-0. A shutout game. As the buzzer rings, we all get out onto the ice and hug each other. Third game and second win. I know I was gonna be one of the three stars. So as everyone walks into the tunnel, I wait with Haley and another teammate. Haley got second and the other girl got third so I know I’m first.

 

“First star goes to Aaylah Thomason,”

I walk back onto the ice and raise my stick up to salute the fans before going back in and heading to the locker room. Once there, I sit down and start unlacing my skates.

 

“Congratulations ladies. We did awesome today out there. Now practice is before the Penguins game tomorrow then next game is on Tuesday here at Mellon against Columbus. Dismissed,”

I take off my laces and I release my feet. I needed a shower. Stripping out of All my gear, I place it into my bag as I get up with my clothes and head into the shower room. 

 

After taking a quick shower and getting dressed, I return into the Locker room with my under gear as Sidney stands there, alone. He has a smile on his face as he walks over to me.

 

“Hey,” I say.

He didn’t say anything as he grabs my hand making me drop my clothes. He pulls me closer as our bodies touch each other. My eyes are glued to him as he leans down to give me a kiss on the lips. I wasn’t expecting this twice but I kinda like it. He kisses me passionately like before as he leans back. 

 

“I wasn’t expecting that,” I manage to say. He smile as he put my hair behind my left ear.

“I wasn’t either but I went for it,”Sidney says.

“I like it,”

“I’m glad, I just wanted to see you first,”

“Have no problem with that,”

“You played a hell of a game,”

“Thanks Sidney,”

He leans over and gives me another intense kiss as he grabs my hand in his.

“Mario took Kris and LC back to the house so it’s just us here,”

“How did you manage that? Thought we were going house shopping,”

“We are but LC and Kris had second thoughts about all of us moving in together so they are gonna get a condo until they are ready for a house,”

“I’m surprised, I know she was excited to move in together,”

“LC told me she wants me and you to move in together just us. She doesn’t wanna catch us or vice verse,”

“Makes sense,”

“Let’s grab our bags and head out for our appointment,”

I turn around, put my under clothes in before zipping it up. I pick it up as me and Sidney make our way into the hall and out of the back to his Range Rover. He opens the trunk door as we both place our bags inside. We then get into the car as he starts it up before placing the car in gear.

 

“You ready?,”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,”

He grabs my hand in his as he takes off out of the parking lot and onto the road to Sewickley.

 

“Autumn is doing great,” Sidney says.

“I was fixing to call Nat about her,” I say.

“Guess I can read your mind,”

“Funny,”

“I can be, are you ready for this next chapter?,”

“I’m 100 percent sure I’m ready. You?,”

“Yes absolutely,”

He gives my hand a squeeze as I look over to him smiling.